Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Sustainable Agriculture

Ruwanthika Kalamulla, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Saowaluck Tibpromma, Mahesh C. A. Galappaththi, Nakarin Suwannarach (), Steven L. Stephenson, Suhail Asad, Ziad Salman Salem and Neelamanie Yapa ()
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Ruwanthika Kalamulla: Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Samantha C. Karunarathna: Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
Saowaluck Tibpromma: Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
Mahesh C. A. Galappaththi: Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Nakarin Suwannarach: Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Steven L. Stephenson: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Suhail Asad: School of Biology and Chemistry, Pu’er University, Pu’er 665000, China
Ziad Salman Salem: Department of Economics and Management, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China
Neelamanie Yapa: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: The coevolution of mycorrhizae with plants represents a major evolutionary adaptation to the land environment. As a bioinoculant, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a beneficial role in sustainable agriculture by symbiotically associating with many crop plants. In this review, we primarily focus on the nutritional and non-nutritional functionality of AMF in soil and plant productivity. AMF maintain soil quality and health via three aspects: soil structure, plant physiology, and ecological interactions. These lead plants to increase their functionality, further growth, and productivity. The formation of soil aggregates via glomalin production maintains the soil structure. Physiologically, AMF change nutrient acquisition and thereby increase soil fertility and productivity. Biotic (pathogens and weed plants) and abiotic (salinity, drought, extreme temperature, soil pH, and heavy metals) stress alleviation is also achieved via altering a plant’s physiological status. By serving as a biocontrol agent, AMF negatively interact with plant pathogens. As a result of beneficial interactions with other rhizosphere microorganisms and above-ground organisms, AMF induce a synergistic effect on plant performance. Moreover, they are also involved in land restoration and seedling establishment. The collective effect of all these functions positively influences overall plant performance and productivity.

Keywords: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; biofertilizer; plant productivity; soil health; sustainable farming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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